Photographic apparatus with ejector means for film-containing magazines

ABSTRACT

The body of a still camera has a chamber for a film-containing magazine and a one-piece ejector consisting of elastic synthetic plastic material. The ejector has an actuating arm which is connected to or constitutes a pivotable door serving to expose or to seal the chamber against entry of light, and an ejecting arm which brings about at least partial expulsion of a properly inserted magazine in response to movement of the actuating arm to that position which corresponds to open position of the door. A third arm of the ejector is bonded, glued or screwed to the camera body, and the three arms are integrally connected to each other by elastic hinges which constitute weakened portions of the plastic ejector. The actuating arm can be connected to the ejecting arm by coupling elements which cooperate to move the ejecting arm to operative position during a certain stage of movement of the actuating arm to that position which corresponds to open position of the door.

United 4 States Patent Hackenberg et al. [451 June 27, 1972 [s41 PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS WITH 2,449,626 9/1948 Suthann ..3s2/74 EJECTOR MEANS FOR FILM- 2,282,051 5/1942 Helbing et al.. 95/31 CA CONTAINING MAGAZINES 2,504,3i7 4/1950 Frankel ..352/74 [72] inventors: Hubert iiackenberg; Reinhard Nicko, both p i y Emmim, ]sph E Peters Jr of Munich, Germany Attorney-Michael s. Striker [73] Assignee: AGFA-Gevaert Alttiengesellschaft, Leverkusen, Germany ABSTRACT [22] Filed; April 27, 1971 The body of a still camera has a chamber for a film-containing magazine and a one-piece ejector consisting of elastic [21] Appl. No.: 137,765 synthetic plastic material. The ejector has an actuating arm which is connected to or constitutes a pivotable door serving 30] Foreign Applicauon priority to expose or to seal the chamber against entry of light, and an ejecting arm which brings about at least partial expulsion of a April 29, 1970 Germany ..P 20 21 125.0 properly inserted magazine in response to movement of the Y actuating arm to that position which corresponds to open posi- [52] US. Cl. ..95/3l R, 95/11, 352/74 tion ofthe door. A third arm oflhe ejector is bonded glued or y [51] Int. Cl. ..G03b 17/28 Screwed to the camera. body, d h hr e arms are integrally [58] 3 2 53 connected to each other by elastic hinges which constitute l weakened portions of the plastic ejector. The actuating arm can be connected to the ejecting arm by coupling elements [56] References cnled which cooperate to move the ejecting arm to operative posi- UNITED STATES PATENTS. tion during a certain stage of movement of the actuating arm 3 543 664 12/1970 K t l 352/74 X to that position which corresponds to open position of the remp e a doon 2,153,220 4/1939 Wittel ..352/74 3,602,121 8/1971 Ernisse ..95/3l R 17 Claims, l1 Drawing Figures PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS WITH EIECTOR MEANS FOR FILM-CONTAINING MAGAZINES BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION magazines or cassettes for photographic film. Still more particularly, the invention, relates to improvements in still cameras wherein the magazine for photographic film is accessible in response to movement of a door or wall to an open position and which are provided with ejector means for at least partially dislodging or completely ejecting a magazine in response to or as a result of movement of the door or wall to the open position.

It is already known to provide a still camera with an ejector which is capable of dislodging a properly inserted magazine or cassette for photographic film in response to opening of the door which normally seals the magazine-receiving chamber against entry of light. A drawback of presently known ejectors is that they are either too bulky, too complicated or too expensive in that they normally consist of several parts which must be machined and/ormounted with a high degree of precision.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the invention is to provide a photographic apparatus, especially a still camera, with a novel and improved ejector which is simpler and more compact than presently known ejectors, which can be mass-produced of inexpensive material, and which can be readily mounted in many types of still cameras, including many existing types of cameras, with minimal expenditures in time and material.

Another object of the invention is to provide an ejector which can be mounted in a still camera to at least partially dislodgea magazine or cassette in response to at least partial exposure of the chamber or chambers which accommodate the magazine. t

A further object of the-invention is to provide an ejector which can eject or partially eject a properly inserted magazine or cassette without necessitating any attention on the part of the user of the camera. t

The invention. is embodied in a photographic apparatus, particularly in a still camera, which comprises a body or housing defining a chamber for reception of a film-containing magazine or cassette (for example, a magazine which com prises two discrete portions for reception of supply and takeup reels and an intermediate portion for reception of that film frame which registers with the optical system of the camera when the magazine is properly inserted in the chamber of the camera body), and ejector means which consists of a single piece of synthetic plastic material and comprises an actuating portion movable between first and second positions'in which the chamber is respectively concealed and exposed, and an ejecting portion which is disposed in the chamber and is movable from an inoperative to an operative position to thereby at least partially expel a magazine from the chamber in response to movement of the actuating portion from the first to the second position. The actuating portion may be integrally or separably securedto a door or wallwhich is movable between open and closed positions to respectively afford access to and to seal the chamber against entry of scene light. The actuating portion is moved from the first to the second position in response to movement of the door or wall from the closed to the open position. The actuating portion may constitute a movable door or wall which is articulately connected to the body for movement between open and closed positions which respectively correspond to the aforementioned second and first positions of the actuating portion.

The ejector means preferably further comprises a third or anchoring portion which is integral withthe actuating and ejecting portions and is bonded (welded or soldered), adhesively connected or mechanically secured to the body of the photographic apparatus. In some instances, especially if the ejecting portion is to share only a certain part of movement of the actuating portion from first to second position, the ejector means may further comprise :motion transmitting means including cooperating first and second coupling portions provided on the actuating and ejecting portions to move the ejecting portion to its operative position during a predetermined stage of movement of the actuating portion from the first to second position. The portions of the ejector means are preferably integrally connected to each other by hinges which can constitute weakened portions of the ejector means.

The novel features which are considered as characteristic of the invention are set forth in particular in the appended claims. The improved ejector means itself, however, both as to its construction and its mode of operation, together with additional features and advantages thereof, will be best understood upon perusal of the following detailed description of certain specific embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is an enlarged fragmentary horizontal sectional view of the body of a still camera and a plan view of a three armed ejector which is constructed and mounted in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary horizontal sectional view of the body of a still camera which is provided with a second ejector wherein one of the arms constitutes a door or wall movable between open and closed positions to respectively expose and seal the chamber for the film-containing magazine;

FIG. 3 is a similar fragmentary horizontal sectional view of the body of a still camera and. a plan view of a third ejector which is similar to the ejector of FIG. 2 but is further provided with a motion transmitting connection between its actuating and ejecting arms;

FIG. 4 is a similar fragmentary horizontal sectional view of the body of a still camera which contains a fourth ejector with a motion transmitting connection constituting a modification of the motion transmitting connection shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged detail view as seen in the direction of arrow V shown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary horizontal sectional view of the body of a still camera and a sectional view of a fifth ejector which is similar to the ejector of FIG. 1 but is provided with a motion transmitting connection constituting a further modification of the motion transmitting connection shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, the actuating and ejecting arms of the ejector being respectively shown in their first and inoperative positions;

FIG. 7 illustrates the structure of FIG. 6 but with the actuating and ejecting arms respectively shown in their second and operative positions; and

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view of the motion transmitting connection as seenin the direction of arrows from the line VlII--VIII of FIG. 7.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS magazine or cassette, for example, a cassette or magazine 4 of the type shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. The illustrated magazine comprises two spaced containers 4a (only one shown) one of which accommodates the takeup reel and the other of which accommodates the supply reel for photographic roll film, and a hollow intennediate portion or web 4b containing that film frame which is to register with the optical system when the magazine 4 is properly mounted in the chamber 3. g

The ejector 5 of FIG. 1 comprises three portions or arms including an ejecting arm 5a, an actuating arm 5b and an anchoring or retaining arm 5c. The entire ejector consists of at least slightly elastic synthetic plastic material, and the actuating arm b is respectively connected with the arms 5a and 5c by elastic hinges 5d, 52 which constitute weakened portions of the ejector. The actuating arm 5b is welded or otherwise bonded, adhesively secured or mechanically connected (bolted, riveted or screwed) to the inner side of the door 1 so that it shares all pivotal movements of the door about the axis of a pintle 1a which connects the door to the body 2. The anchoring portion 5c is received in a recess or socket 2a of the camera body 2 and can be secured thereto by welding, by an adhesive or in any other suitable way. The body 2 is assumed to form part of a still camera.

FIG. 1 shows the actuating arm 5b in a first position which corresponds to the closed or sealing position of the door 1, and the ejecting arm 5a is shown in its inoperative position. When the door 1 is .pivoted to the open position (in a clockwise direction, as viewed in FIG. 1, to assume a position corresponding to that of the door 1' shown in FIG. 7), the actuating arm 5b moves to a second position and causes the ejecting arm 5a to move to an operative position. During such movement, the arm 5a brings about an at least partial expulsion of the magazine from the chamber 3, at least to such an extent that the magazine can be readily grasped by fingers to complete its withdrawal from the chamber 3. During pivoting of the door 1 between its closed and open positions, the hinge 5e permits the actuating portion 5a to pivot with reference to the anchoring portion 5c and the hinge 5d permits at least some pivoting of the ejecting portion 5a with reference to the actuating portion 5b, for example, if the magazine is stuck in the chamber 3 and cannot be readily dislodged by the ejecting portion 5a during movement of the door 1 to its open position.

If desired, the anchoring arm 50 can be simply inserted, with some clearance, into the socket 2a of the camera body 2. The arm 50 is then compelled to remain in inserted position as soon as the actuating arm 5b is properly bonded, glued, riveted or otherwise connected to the door 1. The elasticity of the hinges 5d, Se is sufficient to permit relative movements of the arms 5a-5c with reference to each other. The hinge 5d can undergo some deformation during partial insertion of a fresh magazine 4 into the chamber 3 while the door 1 is held in its open or partly open position. The insertion of a magazine into the chamber 3 can be completed in automatic response to movement of the door 1 back to the closed position of FIG. 1.

FIG. 2 illustrates a portion of the camera body 2 and a modified ejector 105' having an actuating portion or arm 105k which constitutes the door or movable wall of the still camera and is articulately connected with the body 2 by an anchoring portion or arm 1050 which is assumed to be glued to the rear surface of the body 2. The ejecting arm 105a is normally straight but might undergo deformation in response to insertion of a cassette or magazine 4 into the chamber 3 and in response to closing of the actuating arm or door l05b. The weakened portions or hinges between the actuating arm l05b and ejecting arm 1050 on the one hand and the arms 105a, 105b, 105a on the other hand are respectively shown at 105d and 105e. The stiffness of the relatively thick actuating arm 105b suffices to insure that it can properly seal the chamber 3 against entry of light when the arm 105b is moved to the illustrated first or closed position.

FIG. 3 illustrates a portion of a camera body 2, a portion of the chamber 3 for a magazine 4, and a third ejector 205 having an actuating arm or door 205b, an ejecting arm 205a, an anchoring arm 205C which is bonded or glued to the body 2, and motion transmitting or coupling means which causes the ejecting arm 2050 to share a certain portion of movement of the arm or door 205b to its open or second position. The elasticity of hinges 205d, 205a is such that the door or arm 205b can pivot with reference to the arms 205a, 2050 during a first or initial stage of its movement toward open position.

The motion transmitting means comprises a first coupling element 5f which is integral with an intermediate portion of the ejecting arm 205a and has an inclined projection or tip 5i which is located in the path of movement of a similar projection or tip 5): provided on a coupling element 53 which is integral with the door or arm 205b and is located relatively close to the hinge 205e. The projection 5h is spaced from the projection Si in the closed or first position of the door or arm 205b so that the ejecting arm 205a begins to pivot in a clockwise direction after the door or arm 205a reaches a partly open position. The arm 205a thereupon ejects or dislodges the magazine from the chamber 3 while the arm or door 205b continues to move toward its fully open position.

The coupling elements 5]", 5g of the motion transmitting means between the door or arm 205b and the ejecting arm 205a are positioned in such a way that they do not interfere with insertion of a magazine or cassette into the chamber 3.

FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate an ejector 305 which constitutes a modification of the ejector 205. The reference characters 305a, 305b, 305C respectively denote the ejecting arm, the actuating arm or door and the anchoring am of the ejector 305. The motion transmitting means between the arms 305a, 305b comprises a female coupling element 305g on the door or arm 305b and a projection 305f on the ejecting arm 305a. The female coupling element 3053 has a stem 305p and a head 305t at the lower end of the stem, as viewed in FIG. 5. The head 305t has two lateral recesses 305k for the hook-shaped male coupling elements or claws 305L of the projection 305f. The pallets of the male coupling elements or claws 305L are received in the respective'recesses 305k with at least some clearance to enable the arm or door 305b to move to a partly open position before the head 305! on the stem 305p of the female coupling element 305g starts to entrain the projection 305f and the ejecting arm 305a toward the operative position whereby the arm 305a automatically dislodges a magazine or cassette from the chamber 3 of the camera body 2. The extent of relative movement between the arm or door 305b and the ejecting arm 305a of FIGS. 4-5 is less than the extent of relative movement between the arms 205a, 205b of FIG. 3.

It is clear that the motion transmitting means of FIG. 3 or FIGS. 4-5 can be provided on the arms 5b, 5a of FIG. 1, i.e., that such motion transmitting means can entrain an ejecting arm forming part of an ejector whose actuating arm need not constitute a movable door or wall of the camera body.

The hinges between the anchoring arm 305a and the arms 305a, 305b of the ejector 305 are shown at 305d and 305e.

Referring to FIGS. 6 to 8, there is shown a camera body 2 defining a chamber 3 for a magazine or cassette 4, and a movable wall or door 1 which is articulately connected with the body 2 by means of the actuating portion or arm 6b of a modified ejector 6. The actuating arm 6b is riveted to the door 1, as at 1A, and an anchoring portion or arm 60 of the ejector 6 is mechanically connected with the body 2 by screws 2A and nuts 28. The ejecting portion or arm 60 of the ejector 6 extends into the chamber3 in the closed position of the door 1' (first position of the actuating arm 6b) and is spaced from the properly inserted magazine 4(see FIG. 6). When the door 1 is pivoted to the open position shown in FIG. 7, the actuating arm 6b assumes a second position and causes the arm 6a to assume an operative position in which the magazine 4 is at least partially dislodged from the chamber 3' so that it can be readily grasped by hand to complete its withdrawal from the camera body 2'.

The motion transmitting connection between the arms 6b and 6a comprises a male coupling element 6d which is pivotably connected with the actuating arm 6b by a weakened portion or hinge 6g of the ejector 6 and has two claws 6h which extend through an opening 6i in a median portion of the ejecting arm 6a. Such median portion of the arm 6a can be said to constitute a female coupling element which cooperates with the claws 6h to pivot the ejecting arm 6a to the operative position of FIG. 7 in response to movement of the actuating arm 6b to the second position, i.e., in response to opening of the door I The weakened portion or hinge between the arms 6a, 60 is shown at 60.

As shown in FIG. 8, the claws 6h have neck portions which are longer than the thickness of the median portion of the ejecting arm 60 so that the actuating arm 6b can move with the door 1 through a predetermined distance before the enlarged portions of the claws 6h engage and entrain the ejecting arm 6a toward the operative position of FIG. 7.

It is clear that the improved one-piece plastic ejector is susceptible of many additional modifications. For example, the anchoring arm 5c, 105e, 2050 or 3050 can be riveted, bolted or otherwise mechanically connected with the camera body 2 and the anchoring or retaining arm 60 can be bonded or glued to the camera body 2. Also, the anchoring or retaining arm can be omitted in its entirety so that the ejector then comprises only an actuating arm (which may or may not constitute a door) and an ejecting arm which moves to an operative position in response to movement of the actuating arm to a position corresponding to the open position of the door. Such simplified ejector may or may not be provided with motion transmitting means to effect a movement of the ejecting arm during a certain stage of movement of the actuating arm toward its second position.

Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the present invention that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily adapt it for various applications without omitting features which fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic and specific aspects of our contribution to the art and, therefore, such adaptations should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalence of the claims.

What is claimed as new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent is set forth in the appended claims.

We claim:

1. ln a photographic apparatus particularly in a still camera, acombination comprising a camera body defining a chamber for reception of a film-containing magazine; and ejector means comprising an actuating portion movable between first and second positions in which said chamber is respectively concealed and exposed, and an ejecting portion disposed in said chamber and movable from an inoperative to an operative position to thereby at least partially expel a magazine from said chamber in response to movement of said actuating portion from said first to said second position, said portions of said ejector means being integral with each other and consisting of synthetic plastic material.

2. A combination as defined in claim 1, wherein said ejector means further comprises hinge means articulately connecting said portions to each other, said hinge means constituting a weakened portion of said ejector means between said actuating portion and said ejecting portion.

3. A combination as defined in claim 2, wherein at least said weakened portion is elastically deformable in response to movement of said actuating portion between said positions thereof.

4. A combination as defined in claim 1, wherein said actuating portion constitutes a door which seals said chamber against entry of light in said first position thereof.

5. A combination as defined in claim 1, wherein said ejector means further comprises an anchoring portion secured to said body and integral with said actuating and ejecting portions.

6. A combination as defined in claim 1, further comprising a door movable with reference to said body between open and closed positions to thereby respectively expose and seal said chamber against entry of light, said actuating portion being movable from said first to said second position in response to movement of said door from said closed to said open position said actuating and ejecting portions and bonded to said body.

9. A combination as de med in claim 1, wherein said ejector means further comprises an anchoring portion integral with said actuating and ejecting portions and glued to said body.

10. A combination as defined in claim 1, wherein said ejector means further comprises an anchoring portion integral with said actuating and ejecting portions and mechanical fastener means for securing said anchoring portion to said body.

11. A combination as defined in claim 1, wherein said ejector means further comprises motion transmitting means including a first coupling element provided on said actuating portion and a complementary second coupling element provided on said ejecting portion, said first coupling element being arranged to engage and entrain said second coupling element to thereby move the ejecting portion to said operative position in response to movement of said actuating portion from said first to said second position.

12. A combination as defined in claim 11, wherein said coupling elements comprise projections which engage with each other at least during a part of movement of said actuating portion to said second position to thereby effect the movement of said ejecting portion to said operative position thereof.

13. A combination as defined in claim 11, wherein one of said coupling elements comprises male coupling means and the other coupling element comprise female coupling means engaged by said male coupling means at least during a part of movement of said actuating portion to said second position to thereby effect a movement of said ejecting portion to said operative position.

14. A combination as defined in claim 11, wherein said ejecting portion comprises a projection and said second coupling element is provided on said projection.

15. A combination as defined in claim 11, wherein said coupling elements of said motion transmitting means are integral with the respective portions of said ejecting means.

16. A combination as defined in claim 1, wherein said ejecting means further comprises an anchoring portion rigid with said body and elastic hinges articulately connecting said anchoring portion with said actuating portion and said ejecting portion, said anchoring portion and said hinges being integral with said ejecting and anchoring portions.

17. A combination as defined in claim 16, wherein said ejecting means further comprises cooperating motion transmitting elements integral with said actuating and ejecting porlions and operative to move said ejecting portion from said inoperative position to said operative position during a predetermined stage of movement of said actuating portion from said first to said second position thereof.

l l k l 

1. In a photographic apparatus particularly in a still camera, a combination comprising a camera body defining a chamber for reception of a film-containing magazine; and ejector means comprising an actuating portion movable between first and second positions in which said chamber is respectively concealed and exposed, and an ejecting portion disposed in said chamber and movable from an inoperative to an operative position to thereby at least partially expel a magazine from said chamber in response to movement of said actuating portion from said first to said second position, said portions of said ejector means being integral with each other and consisting of synthetic plastic material.
 2. A combination as defined in claim 1, wherein said ejector means further comprises hinge means articulately connecting said portions to each other, said hinge means constituting a weakened portion of said ejector means between said actuating portion and said ejecting portion.
 3. A combination as defined in claim 2, wherein at least said weakened portion is elastically deformable in response to movement of said actuating portion between said positions thereof.
 4. A combination as defined in claim 1, wherein said actuating portion constitutes a door which seals said chamber against entry of light in said first position thereof.
 5. A combination as defined in claim 1, wherein said ejector means further comprises an anchoring portion secured to said body and integral with said actuating and ejecting portions.
 6. A combination as defined in claim 1, further comprising a door movable with reference to said body between open and closed positions to thereby respectively expose and seal said chamber against entry of light, said actuating portion being movable from said first to said second position in response to movement of said door from said closed to said open position thereof.
 7. A combination as defined in claim 1, wherein said ejector means further comprises motion transmitting means provided on at least one of said portions and arranged to move said ejecting portion to said operative position in response to movement of said actuating portion to said second position.
 8. A combination as defined in claim 1, wherein said ejector means further comprises an anchoring portion integral with said actuating and ejecting portions and bonded to said body.
 9. A combination as defined in claim 1, wherein said ejector means further comprises an anchoring portion integral with said actuating and ejecting portions and glued to said body.
 10. A combination as defined in claim 1, wherein said ejector means further comprises an anchoring portion integral with said actuating and ejecting portions and mechanical fastener means for securing said anchoring portion to said body.
 11. A combination as defined in claim 1, wherein said ejector means further comprises motion transmitting means including a first coupling element provided on said actuating portion and a complementary second coupling element provided on said ejecting portion, said first coupling element being arRanged to engage and entrain said second coupling element to thereby move the ejecting portion to said operative position in response to movement of said actuating portion from said first to said second position.
 12. A combination as defined in claim 11, wherein said coupling elements comprise projections which engage with each other at least during a part of movement of said actuating portion to said second position to thereby effect the movement of said ejecting portion to said operative position thereof.
 13. A combination as defined in claim 11, wherein one of said coupling elements comprises male coupling means and the other coupling element comprise female coupling means engaged by said male coupling means at least during a part of movement of said actuating portion to said second position to thereby effect a movement of said ejecting portion to said operative position.
 14. A combination as defined in claim 11, wherein said ejecting portion comprises a projection and said second coupling element is provided on said projection.
 15. A combination as defined in claim 11, wherein said coupling elements of said motion transmitting means are integral with the respective portions of said ejecting means.
 16. A combination as defined in claim 1, wherein said ejecting means further comprises an anchoring portion rigid with said body and elastic hinges articulately connecting said anchoring portion with said actuating portion and said ejecting portion, said anchoring portion and said hinges being integral with said ejecting and anchoring portions.
 17. A combination as defined in claim 16, wherein said ejecting means further comprises cooperating motion transmitting elements integral with said actuating and ejecting portions and operative to move said ejecting portion from said inoperative position to said operative position during a predetermined stage of movement of said actuating portion from said first to said second position thereof. 